Star Wars: Episode XIII: Return of the Sith

STAR WARS:  Episode XIII:  Return Of The Sith

 It has been twenty years since the New Republic
defeated the reactionary First Order in a terrible
conflict across Coruscant.  As the power of the Republic
grows, so to does its need for colonial expansion.

As more systems are brought under Republic control,
it's leaders seek always the next enemy who will resist
their dominion.  Now, The Sith, ancient Jedi from
an extinct empire have resurfaced and threaten the
Republic.  Pursued across the Galaxy, the Sith are hunted
mercilessly by the ruthless Republic Navy, after months
of searching, the Admiral closes in on a powerful
band of rebels rumored to be lead by a Sith Master...

Stars, pan down, there is a planet.  A small ship flies in from over head, it moves away from the screen firing back toward the camera, A wedge shaped Republic destroyer flies overhead, in hot pursuit of the little ship, it fires a barrage of bolts, the ship is hit and drawn in to the massive destroyer.  Cut to inside the ship, you see a closed hatch, various rebels are lining up pointing weapons at the hatch, they are a mismatched bunch, some of them aliens, with various outfits and weapons.   All are fearful and fixated on the door.  Suddenly there is a tremor and a loud boom, the rebels look about in fright.  Then sparks fly around the corners of the door, it blows open, blaster bolts fly through the doorway, the rebels return fire.

Republic storm troopers burst through the destroyed hatchway firing blasters, some fall dead but the rebels are slaughtered, some retreat.  The storm troopers press forward, the battle is seen moving through the ship, finally, the storm troopers reach a large room where a man is sitting, he is dressed in black with a hood.

Trooper:  Hands up!  Hands up!

The man doesn't move, the troops rush forward with blasters pointed, without warning the man draws a light saber from his cloak and ignites the blade, casting blue white light across the dimly lit room, the man spins with incredible speed and dexterity, he dives forward and cuts one of the storm troopers down, then turns and takes down another, the others run from the room.

Scene cuts to the destroyed hatch, some troopers are examining their dead comrades.  Presently an imperial Admiral enters flanked by two Jedi in brown robes over white trooper armor.  The admiral is older, clean shaven, dressed in precise Republic Uniform.  His face is extremely serious.

Trooper:  Admiral, we’ve located the Sith.  He’s in the main control room.

Stark:  Very good captain, tell your men to pull back and await my command.

Trooper, Yes admiral!

Admiral Stark moves quickly through the corridor, the two Jedi in step with him.
Cut to another corridor, Several storm troopers are running, firing blasters down the hall, The Sith comes around the corner, wielding his saber he deflects bolts and cuts down a fleeing trooper.  The Admiral comes around the Corner with the Jedi.

Stark:  Master Akean.  I've been waiting a long time for this.

Akean:  I’m honored, the Republics finest!

Stark:  You must think your very clever having escaped my grasp for so long.

Akean:  Or maybe your just not as good as you think.

Stark:  Either way, its to late. Terminate him.

The two Jedi Behind him draw sabers, they are twin green against Akean's Blue, they leap forward and duel, Akean is doing well but then faltering one of the Republic Jedi takes his head off with a well placed swing.  He falls dead to the ground.

Stark turns and the Jedi walk with him, retracting their blades.  Cut back to the entryway, A trooper stands waiting at the door.  Stark walks up.

Stark:  Commander, set charges and destroy this ship, then beam a distress signal informing the Republic that all aboard were killed.  Collect the data banks, I want to know everything these Sith knew about the rebellion.
There will be no one to stop us this time.

Trooper:  Yes Admiral.

They walk back into the Destroyer.  Cut to shot of the destroyer flying in orbit.

Scene changes, Shot of Coruscant from orbit, it is night, cut to fancy looking estate alight with activity, then into a main ball room where an elegant high culture party is taking place.

Butler:  Lord and Lady Jacen and Jaina Solo!

Jaina and Jacen step through the door, arm in arm, their faces poised and beaming.

Jacen:  Lord Barrison!

Lord:  Lord and Lady Solo.  (Bowing)  How gracious of you to attend.

Jacen:  (Bowing)  Its an honor. Ah Lord Perry, Lady Andarius, (Bowing again)

Jaina:  (Bowing also)  M'Lord, Lady.

Lord:  Lord and Lady Solo, my goodness its great to see you, you both look stunning tonight.

Jacen:  Thank you and you are looking very sharp yourself, the lady most elegant.

A serious looking Jedi with a Mustache approaches Jaina.

Tenna:  Lady Jaina, welcome!

Jaina:  (With false enthusiasm)Ah Master Tenna, Isn't this just a lovely party!

Tenna:  Yes my lady, can I get you a drink?

Jaina:  Oh yes, that would be just wonderful

Jacen:  Shall we take our seats?

Jaina:  Yes, lets

Tenna:  Would your Lord and Lady ship allow me to join your company?

Jacen:  Your presence would be most welcome Master Tenna

Jaina:  (Hesitantly) Yes..Most welcome

Tenna:  Thank you

Scene cuts, they are sitting at a table, empty drink cups sit in front of them

Tenna:  I was told that the whole Kallendar system had been totally wiped out!  No survivors

Jaina:  (Boisterously)Oh Master Tenna, do go on!

Tenna:  Yes, they took everyone hostage, Killed the rest!  Mandalorian prison camps, the works.

Jaina:  Oh dear, that just sounds, awful!

She knocks back another shot and slams it down on the table, the Jedi jumps in surprise.  Jacen is looking
increasingly bored and annoyed

Jacen:  Could you cut that out sister.

Jaina:  What ever are you referring to..Lord Solo?

Jacen:  That, for starters.

Jaina:  Oh lighten up, this is FUN, party, fun, remember?

She takes another shot, closing her eyes and shaking her head back and forth, she slams the glass down again. Jacen sighs.

Tenna:  Lady solo, might I interest you in a story about the clone wars?  Its a Jedi anecdote you might find of some interest.  (He seems intently interested in Jaina)

Jaina:  Oh yes, That would be, just..lovely...I do ever so LOVE the Clone wars!

Tenna:  Well, (Excited) you see the Jedi were given special power seek out the terrorists who attacked the Republic!  It was an exciting time for the Jedi, they were the guardians of peace in the old republic, but when the time came they lead their people to protect order in the galaxy, they sacrificed their values for the greater good!

Jaina:  Oh how Interesting!

Tenna:  I think this whole mess with the Sith is the same situation, we just need to give the navy and the Jedi the power to go after the Sith and protect the republic.  It seems to me we could be taking a more active roll in things, I for one disagree with the council on...

Jaina:  (Finally breaking down)  Oh god who cares.  Ugghh.

Tenna:  My lady?  I’m sorry if iv offended, please can i get you a drink?

He reaches over and tries to grab the bottle.

Jaina:  I can pour my own drinks you little twit.

She grabs for the bottle, trying to pull it from Tenna's grasp, the bottle spills on Jaina.

Tenna:  Oh no my lady!  Let me  clean that for you!

He reaches a napkin forward and tries to wipe the stain off Jaina, he is reaching toward her chest, Jaina Punches him square in the mouth, with cry of rage she stands and kicks Tenna in the head, he falls back, chairs clattering about, food and drinks spilling everywhere.  She leaps on him and starts wildly punching for his head, Jacen grabs her and drags her from the party, the rest of the guests are awestruck and horrified.  They walk outside together, Jaina calming down.

Jacen:  What the hell was that?

Jaina:  You saw what he did!  He was TRYING to touch my CHEST.

Jacen:  I saw him flirting with you...badly, but you didn’t have to put him in the hospital.

Jaina:  Dirty..creep...filth (She shakes with rage)

Jacen:  Just get over it!

Jaina:  NO!  (Yelling)  Get over yourself!

She storms off leaving Jacen standing annoyed.

Cut to scene of Jaina in royal gardens, she is crying, walking, arms hugged around herself.  She walks down a path and finally sits on a bench in front of a pond, looking for a while at her reflection in the still surface of the water.  After a few moment, a woman walks up behind her, she is tall and elegant, a little older than Jaina's age, dressed in the style of the royal elites of Coruscant.  Her Beauty is regal.  She looks down at Jaina with pity.

Jaina sees her reflection in the pool and turns.

Constantine: You must be...Jaina Solo?  Are you alright?

Jaina:  Im..ok (She wipes her tears away) who are you?

Constantine:  I am lady Constantine, Duchess of the royal estate.

Jaina:  ah, yes

Constantine:  Would you mind if i joined you?

Jaina:  well...I suppose if you want to....

She moves gracefully and sits, Jaina watches her movements with curiosity.

Constantine:  What happened to make you so upset my dear?

Jaina:  Its just, men..my brother...this place.. you know

Constantine:  (Closing her eyes and smiling)  Yes, yes i know well.

Jaina:  (Looking at her)  Did you grow up on Coruscant?

Constantine:  I was born on Humbarine but my parents emigrated here when the empire made Coruscant its capital, they saw a great opportunity to push themselves into the next social class.

Jaina:  You managed to marry into the royal family?

Constantine:  (She nods) And with my late husbands passing, i became heir to the estate.  Now, it is my ward, i am its protector.

Jaina:  Wow, that’s a lot of responsibility.

Constantine:  It comes at a price, one loses much of what one loves (she meet Jaina's eye) but one must always be ready to serve the family lineage.

Jaina:  I guess I never really understood that kind of thing, its...its not that I don't care about my family, i just feel we are so disconnected.  All in different worlds, nothing to really bind us together, i mean its not like they have an estate or anything to pass on...

Constantine:  Its perfectly reasonable to live a free life.

Jaina smiles at her.

Jaina:  I like that you say that, I...Iv always valued my freedom above everything else.  Its what I depend on.  Live for. I just thirst for adventure!

Constantine:  As do I, though, its been a long time since I was able to escape my duties and explore the universe.

Jaina:  You should come somewhere with me!  I go all sorts of places!  Can you.. take a break?

Constantine:  (Smiling sadly)  No...no I cannot take a break, it would be my hearts desire to see the universe with you Jaina.

Jaina:  Well, can we get a drink at least?

Constantine:  That we can do.  Would you like to see my personal Gallery?

Jaina:  I would love to!

Constantine:  Come one then (She takes Jaina's hand and leads her away)

Scene cuts to a royal manner, then inside a large high ceilinged room with art covering the walls.  Constantine and Jaina stand looking at the paintings.  They are holding drinks.

Jaina:  They are so...beautiful...I feel iv never really appreciated art before this moment.

Constantine:  Its more than just something to look at, its an experience, a moment.
They stand silently.

Jaina:  Your not what I expected...

Constantine:  Neither are you..

Jaina looks over at her, they smile.

Constantine:  I want to show you something, come here!

She takes Jaina's hand, they put their drinks down and walk up a flight of stairs.  Out onto a balcony where two beautiful silver moons sit reflected in a lake, the city a glowing skyline behind it.

Jaina:  Oh, its...so incredible.

Constantine:  This is...where i come to feel free.

Jaina turns toward her, she lets go of Constantine’s hand and slides her arm around her back, Constantine turns and looks at her, they gaze at each other in wonder, then kiss passionately, embracing and moving to the ground.

Scene changes.  Jacen walks down a dark back street, he still wears his fancy party clothes but his shirt is untucked and his jacket hangs unbuttoned.  He walks seemingly without aim, passing by a few pedestrians.  One of them stops, he is a tall man in a fine robe, obviously someone of great importance in high society.

Dooku:  Jacen Solo?  What brings you out to the southern district on a night like this?

Jacen:  Ahh, Count Dooku, i didn't recognize you, i have a lot on my mind.

Dooku:  Where is your sister?  I'm not sure I recall seeing the two of you apart.

Jacen:  That’s just it, shes making my life hell.  She can't keep her mouth shut, mind her manners.  It's making it hard for me to exist in the social scene here, I can never find the opportunities I need because Jaina is always disrupting everything!

Dooku:  It's not an easy thing to deal with.  Family matters are always...complex.

Jacen sighs and nods.

Dooku:  You would be welcome to join me for a drink, if your not heading home.

Jacen:  I have time for a drink.

Dooku nods and they walk off together, Scene changes to Dooku's private study.

Dooku:  The right to charter industrial projects on any core world is now delegated by the special council of works, I have managed to secure a controlling interest in the committee, meaning I have full control of, how, or IF contracts can be issued.

Jacen:  That's impressive.

Dooku:  Its useful, my influence goes far beyond politics and business.

Jacen:  You mean military..

Dooku:  Yes, with control of the bureaucracies comes the ability to direct the Republic Navy.

Jacen:  But to what end.

Dooku:  To no end but itself, my friend.  I've worked hard to establish this fragile order and it has proven to be highly profitable.

Jacen:  Good, you were making me a little nervous for a second.

Dooku:  There is nothing that should make you nervous Lord Solo.  You are son of the heroes of the Republic.  Your status is virtually guaranteed for life.  It is regular men such as i who must struggle and claw our way to the top with our wits and strength alone.

Jacen sits thinking, Dooku pours another drink for him and one for himself.

Jacen:  What of the Sith?  People on the street seem to think its all hype but i've heard the way the Admirals are talking.

Dooku:  The Sith are of no real concern to me, only of use.  Scaring the Senate with nursery rhymes about villains is the oldest political trick in the book...and one of the most effective.

Jacen:  But...the Sith do exist..do they not?

Dooku:  Oh yes, and some of the Admirals are most...adamant about eliminating them.

Jacen:  I see...I would think there is the potential for real rebellion around them...

Dooku:  One thing I've learned is that there is always the potential for real rebellion.

Jacen sits thinking, sipping his drink.

Jacen:  My parents probably would have liked the Sith, would have spent a bunch of time in the Senate arguing for them to be sparred or brought to justice, some such nonsense.

Dooku:  Your parents were brave, but the time for revolution is over.  The old empire is gone and even the First Order destroyed.  Liberty and economic freedom are guaranteed.

Jacen:  Ya, things just feel, unsettled, I’m not sure why I feel that way...

Dooku:  Maybe it is you who feel unsettled, your very different than your sister you know, she doesn't respect you, or respect the Republic.

Jacen:  Ya, tell me something I don't know.

Dooku:  That your destinies are not bound together forever.

Jacen looks at him sharply.

Jacen:  Are you saying I should stop being around her?

Dooku:  All I'm saying is if your lives have diverged so much, there is no sense in struggling to hold something together which will inevitably split apart.

Jacen nods pensively.

Jacen:  We've done everything together, almost our whole lives spent adventuring, fighting.  Together.  I almost don't know what id do without her there.

Dooku:  She isn't here right now.

Jacen:  Ya..and..well i do feel ok.  Actually i feel quite alright in a way.

Dooku:  You would be wise to explore those feelings.

Jacen:  It's...yes, i should.

Dooku:  Don't forget that your destiny is yours and your alone.

Jacen:  Thank you, and (nodding to the drink)  Thank you, I best be going.
They stand.

Dooku:  I'm glad we connected again, Lord Solo, you remind me of being at the zenith of my life.

Jacen:  (smiling)  Not sure I’m at the zenith of anything...

Dooku:  When one is at the peak, there is no where to go but down again.

Jacen nods, considering his words.
They walk to the door.

Dooku:  Master Solo. (He bows)

Jacen:  Count Dooku.

He leaves.  Scene changes, a classroom, empty but for a dark skinned boy, about 17 or 18.  He sits studying intently.  Presently, a man pokes his face around the doorway and sees the boy.  He is older, a mustache and long curly hair flowing down his shoulders.  A little overweight but graceful and jovial.

Piedmont:  Mace!  My young apprentice!  There you are!

Mace:  Master Piedmont, i wasn't expecting you until this evening.

Piedmont:  I was passing through and thought I would see how you were doing on those meditations.

Mace:  (Sighing and closing a book)  Well, I've read through them all but it doesn't make sense to me yet, not the way i felt you describing it making sense after your visions.

Piedmont:  Visions and study are very different.  I meant for you to only study and absorb the teachings with your intellectual mind, i don't think your going to have a vision from a book!

Mace:  (Smiling)  Probably not, especially this one!

Piedmont:  I know its a little dry, but the wisdom is real.  The old masters just felt it necessary to present it in a comprehensive manner, part of the intent is to keep away any but the most disciplined students who can cut through to the deeper meaning.

Mace:  (nodding)  I see..

Piedmont:  When you are ready, when you have learned the meditations by heart, then it will be time for your own vision quest, but not before.

Mace:  Why must a Jedi have a vision master?

Piedmont:  Because the essence of being a Jedi is being in tune with the force, making the force your ally and following it as your guide.  In order to do this, you must have your own vision of the force, something that cannot be taught through books or dialogue.

Mace:  Experience of the force...i see...

Piedmont:  Yes, it's not something that can be understood or explained to the intellectual mind.  It is purely emotional and spiritual understanding.

Mace:  (Smiling)  That makes a lot of sense to me, thank you.

Piedmont:  (Smiling back)  Thank YOU, my young student, for your devotion end enthusiasm

Mace is slightly embarrassed but they share a genuine moment.

Piedmont:  The Jedi Council has summoned me to a meeting, I am unfortunately due there shortly, I will be here later for our regular lesson though.

Mace:  Great, ill see you then, good luck at the council.

Piedmont:  Thank you!

He leaves Scene changes to a large council chamber, Jedi are seated around a circle, there are two dozen or so.  The room is high ceilinged and ornate.  Master Piedmont enters.

Carrow:  Master Piedmont, I'm glad you could join us, we were just discussing the campaign against the Sith remnant.

Piedmont:  I take it you have something new to report if the council is meeting out of session?

Carrow:  Our operatives with the Republic Navy have sent us secret data files about a Sith rebel known as Eulia
Akean, he was apparently killed by the Republic Navy a few days ago in a black operation.

Piedmont raises his eyebrows.

Piedmont:  And you have recovered the Sith's databanks?

Carrow:  The information seems to point to the existence of a wider Sith network and a general rebellion being organized around it.  We believe, however unlikely, that the remnant could pose a threat to Republic and the Jedi order.

Piedmont:  Your talking about a war between the Sith and the Jedi...

Carrow:  You must prepare your students more...aggressively Master.

Piedmont:  (Looking annoyed)  I'm already pushing them harder than I should be...integrating real combat training with Jedi teaching isn't a good idea...We aren't soldiers.

Carrow:  It may become necessary, you may continue to train at your discretion for now Master Piedmont, but we will be overseeing your progress in some detail.

Piedmont looks a little frustrated, but bows slightly to Master Carrow.

Piedmont:  Thank you Master.

Carrow:  That will be all Master Piedmont.

Piedmont turns and walks out without another word.  Scene changes to a corridor within the Jedi temple, various people walk by on business, presently Jacen walks down the hallway, looking relaxed, he is headed for a door when suddenly Jaina step from around the corner, her arms crossed, expression angry.

Jaina:  Hey you!

Jacen stops short and turns, his expression growing angry.

Jacen:  What do you want?

Jaina:  We never finished our conversation the other night.

Jacen:  I think we did.  I've been summoned by the Jedi Council. You need to leave now, ill find you later.

Jaina:  (Growing extremely angry)  Guess what?  Your not the only one!  (she walks toward him threateningly)  They summoned me to!

Jacen:  The're going to strip you of your ceremonial title the second they catch a whiff of that attitude.

Jaina gets in his face.

Jaina:  You think your hot stuff. (She pushes him, he steps back, looking vexed) Jacen Solo, the eldest Son.
(She pushes him again, this time he pushes her arm away).

Jacen:  (Angry)  You need to cut this crap out!

Jaina: You need to look in the mirror fly boy!  Wake up, open your eyes.  Sexist pig! (She pushes him again this time hard)

Jacen catches her arm.

Jacen:  You've been drinking, Jesus, what time is it?

Jaina:  Who cares!  (Pulling out of his grasp)

Jacen:  Your making a disgrace of this family!

Jaina:  Your the disgrace, look at you, little Jedi Council lap dog!

Jacen:  Shut the hell up.

Jaina:  Do as your told little dogie!

Jacen:  Shut.  Up.

Jaina pushes him again, he tries to grab her arm.

Jaina:  Don't touch me, don't. touch.  ME.

Jaina swings at Jacens face, he ducks and dodges, her rage is growing, she is screaming in fury, swinging her fists at her brother, he is forced to retaliate, they brawl, getting more and more violent, Jacen is enraged now to. A jedi grabs them, trying to separate the fight, Jaina levels a punch at his head, knocking him back, then she returns to her brother, diving at him with a howl and pummeling his torso and head.  Jacen kicks her hard in the stomach and she falls back with an oomph.  Standing, she draws her light saber.  Jacen looks at her with fury, then draws his own, they lunge at each other, blades flashing, people are cowering behind furniture, watching the two unleash.

A group of republic troopers come around the corner, blasters drawn.

Troopers:  Hey, stop fighting!  Hands up, Weapons on the ground!

Jaina and Jacen lunge forward without waiting and cut down troopers, then continue trying to kill each other, A Jedi leaps out with a saber and Jacen cuts him in half, then throws his saber at another, impaling him as he tries to flee.  They start killing anyone in their way, fighting with untamed aggression.  A Jedi steps into the hallway, it is master Piedmont, you see Mace is one of the people cowering in a doorway.

Mace:  Master lookout!

Piedmont stops, without turning, Jacen throws his saber and it catches Piedmont square in the chest, immediately flying back to Jacens hand where he swings it to clash with his sisters.  Piedmont falls without sound, laying still.

Mace: No!

People hold him back as he tries to run out to his master.  He collapses crying, you see Jaina and Jacen go around the corner, still fighting.  Mace runs finally to Piedmont’s side, he is just barely alive.

Mace:  (Crying)  Master...No..

Piedmont:  Don't....don't let..them make you...fight..

He dies, Mace Sobs over his body.  Scene change.  Mace stands in the center of the Jedi Council

Carrow:  Padawan Windu, The loss of Master Piedmont is a most unfortunate tragedy, and the timing is, quite inconvenient.  I am told you witnessed the incident?

Mace:  Yes Master Carrow.

Carrow:  The loss of any Jedi puts us in greater danger from the Sith, Especially and esteemed master such as
Piedmont.  You're training must continue as soon as possible.  Your new teacher is Master Zephyr.
A tall man in an adorned crimson robe steps forward, his eyes are intense blue complemented with a shock of white hair.

Zephyr:  My young apprentice, I am most honored to meet you.

Mace bows to him.

Mace:  Master.  Thank you.

Zephyr:  Your training begins tomorrow, be there at exactly 7 am sharp, training ground five.

Mace:  Yes master

Zephyr:  You are dismissed.

Mace turns without speaking and walks out. the council stands silently for a few moments.

Carrow:  Keep your eyes on that one, i sense...something...i'm not sure yet.

Zephyr:  I will be watchful. If there is rebellion in him, I will snuff it out.

Carrow:  I know you will Master Zephyr, I know you will.

Zephyr:  (Bowing)  I must retire to my studies, I will report back when I have made progress with the boy.

Carrow:  Good, May the force be with you.

Zephyr:  And you.

He turns and strides out of the chamber, his red robes trailing out behind him.  The camera turns and zooms into the shadows where you see Mace, pressed into a corner almost invisible, his eyes narrowed in anger, he slips quickly away down the passage.  Scene changes to inside Jedi Padawan lodgings, it is a long room with twenty or so bunks, young Jedi are changing or getting ready for bed.  You see Mace enter, he seems quiet and pensive.  A young woman takes notice of Mace's entry.

Ara:  Hey!  Mace...whats up?  You OK?  we heard what happened...

Mace..um..I'm ok..i dunno..

More Jedi take notice of him and they start to crowd around.

Ara:  Hey...hey...give him some space!  He just lost his Master!

Mace:  Thanks Ara, look, its ok, im just kind of in shock.

He steps over to his bed and sits, a few others sitting next to or opposite him.

Max:  Did you really see Jaina and Jacen fighting?

Mace:  I saw...everything..

Max:  Jeez..

Arden:  They fought for a whole entire hour after that you know, then they just took off in opposite directions.  There where over fifty dead at the Jedi temple alone.

Mace:  Damn..that’s just..unbelievable....

Arden:  And the whole city has gone crazy, anyone close to those two are duking it out with each other, this thing is turning into a gang war!

Ara:  Its only been a few hours...

Mace:  I just...can't believe it.

Ara:  (Looking sympathetic)  Master Piedmont was a great man, one of the greatest, you know we all loved him.

Mace:  (Looking at her)  I know.

Ara:  Just, if you want to talk, were here for you, or if you don’t want to talk, you can tell us to buzz off!

Mace:  (Smiling sadly)  Thanks, no, you can stay...

They sit talking, the scene changes, it is a garden in the Duchess's royal estate, The Duchess and Jaina enter, The Duchess is dressed in an elegant rich costume, but minimal.  Jaina wears a tan almost tactical outfit, she has a short matching cape that cuts off before her waist.  She looks both stylish and prepared.

Jaina:  The audacity, I'm just...hes got the whole mining guild raiding my friends down at the docks, anyone I ever talked to in the capital district has had their apartments broken into and family threatened!  Nothing is sacred to that barbaric asshole!

Constantine:  I've dealt with these types before, my husband was one actually, they are quite predictable.

Jaina:  (Looking at her with a sly smile)  Sorry.

Constantine:  Its just something you deal with being a woman of power in society.

Jaina:  Your right about that.

Constantine:  I want to help you Jaina, I admire you greatly.  I feel we could both be very helpful to each other.

Jaina:  Are you suggesting an alliance?

The duchess stops and takes Jaina's hand.

Constantine:  I'm suggesting that two women of power need each other in a world like this, you are a great warrior, leader, powerful and charismatic.  My power is of estate, and of the state.  Of finance and property, tradition and succession.  What we can offer each other is something neither of us has, but would complete us both.

Jaina:  I see!  Your right, this has gotten bigger than i can deal with, hes not going to stop, none of them are unless we make them pay!

Constantine:  Yes!  with the power of the royal family behind you there will be no one to stand in your way.

Jaina:  And what of your enemies...I know them not.  I feel i need to learn more of the situation before i make such a brash agreement.

Constantine:  A wise precaution.  Of my enemies i will tell you, they are indeed powerful as you might imagine.  The Industrial guilds control the senate, since the end of the empire they have kept the royal family at bay and controlled everything from business to military.  They are my  most powerful enemies.

Jaina:  The industrialist guild...

Constantine:  This agreement...alliance, would need to be as secret as our affair, I'm sure you understand.

Jaina:  Yes..of course, I'm really a private person, like i said i don't feel comfortable about people seeing my relationships.  I prefer it this way.

Constantine:  Good, you know I trust you, Jaina.  That’s a rare thing in this world, i feel we will do great things together.

Jaina:  (Smiling)  I trust you to, were going to make this happen!

Constantine:  Yes..yes we are.

They walk off. Scene changes.  It is count Dooku's office.  Jacen and Dooku sit once again, this time Jacen's appearance is well groomed and outfitted.

Jacen:  We've pretty much got her assets cleared out, not that she really has anything, just a bunch of friends.

Dooku:  I've learned over the years that friends can be your greatest asset.

Jacen:  Well, she doesn't have many left now.  Not important ones anyway.

Dooku:  Be careful, Lord Solo, do not underestimate one with such a will for destruction.

Jacen:  (Looking at him sharply)  What do you know?

Dooku:  (Looking at him for dramatic effect)  My sources tell me that Jaina has made an alliance...with The Lady Constantine.

Jacen:  The Duchess of the Royal estate....

Dooku:  The only person with the resources to challenge your power...

Jacen:  She could mobilize armies, hell, probably a fleet of destroyers.

Dooku:  Yes.

Jacen:  I can't fight a whole army alone.

Dooku:  No.

Jacen: (Turning to him)  You...knew I'd need your help.

Dooku:  Yes.

Jacen:  Well...I need your help.  Will you help me?

Dooku:  I will, on one condition, the royal family must have its assets seized and be permanently removed as a threat to the security of the Republic.

Jacen:  That works for me.

Dooku:  It will be difficult to predict their first move.  The Duchess is crafty opponent, she has spent her whole life in political maneuverings, with your sister as her puppet, they will not be defeated easily.

Jacen:  What makes you think my sister is the puppet?

Dooku:  Because you've never met Duchess Constantine, and I've faced her in battle.  She has your sister wrapped around her little finger.

Jacen:  If you say so, you've never fought my sister.

Dooku:  True...we will see.

Jacen:  How do we proceed?

Dooku:  I must call for a meeting of the industrial guilds and inform them of the danger, return to your estate and call your allies together.  We must prepare for war.

Jacen nodds, standing he leaves, Dooku sits back pensively.  Scene switches, it is the Jedi temple, somewhere on the grounds, you see Mace walking, he is sweaty, obviously just finished training, Ara sees him and walks up.

Ara:  Hey!  How was your first day of training with Master Zephyr?

Mace:  It was..grueling.  Hes like a drill Sargent.  Really crazy.

Ara:  I heard he was like that, toughens you up i guess?

Mace:  Ya...something like that...

Ara:  Do you want to get some food or something?

Mace:  Ya, that sounds good actually, (he smiles at her)

They walk off together, camera follows them into the Jedi temple, then it turns and heads down a hallway, people walk this way and that, then through a door into the Jedi Council room where they are assembled, a man in fancy clothes stands in the center of the room.

Carrow:  Welcome Senator, the legislature has come to a decision then?

Senator:  Yes Master Jedi, the Senate has passed the legislation.  All Jedi are now under the jurisdiction of the Republic Navy.

Carrow:  Very good! Thank you Senator, You are dismissed.
The man bows and leaves.

Arguillian:  We can begin integrating the Jedi with the armed forces immediately.

Pentarch:  The Senate must still be consulted before any moves can be made against the Sith.

Carrow:  The Senate will retroactively make anything we do now legal, Master Pentarch.

Bantar:  What of the Rumors of a Sith fleet assembling somewhere near the Aargow system.  That’s to close to the capital worlds for comfort.

Carrow:  The Sith fleet is of no concern to us here Master, I assure you the Republic Navy has Coruscant well defended, they will deal with the rebels easily.  Begin transferring the Jedi Padawn to the Military academies, they must undergo rigorous training and discipline if they are to win the war that is coming.

Bantar:  Yes Master Carrow, I will transmit the orders myself.

Carrow:  See to it that it is done.

The scene changes.  The Padawan sleeping chambers.  Suddenly the lights come on and a dozen Jedi enter, including Master Zephyr.

Jedi Master:  Everyone Up, Line up, NOW!  You're all being transferred immediately, get dressed, pack your bags, on the double!

People scramble around, looks of shock and confusion on their faces, you see Mace, his eyes meet Ara's, they both look afraid.

Jedi:  Under the new Senate regulations, the Jedi are now to be trained at the Naval Academy under strict military guidelines.  We are departing for the barracks immediately.

There are gasps and murmurs.

Jedi:  Silence!  Lets go, on the double!

The Padawans start moving out and are followed by the Jedi Masters. Camera follows Mace and Ara.  They step out into the street and are loaded onto transports, the journey is short, the transport doors slide open and they are ushered down another hallway.

Ara:  Whats happening?

Mace:  I don't know, I...I think their going to try and turn us into soldiers.

Ara:  I..I sense something...Mace..I'm really scared.

Mace:  (Looking at her)  Me to...Lets just try and stay together.

Ara:  Ok..

They reach a branching corridor.

Jedi:  Boys to the right, Girls to the left, lets go!

Ara:  (Desperately)No!

Mace:  Ara...!

They take each others hands for a moment and then are separated, eyes meeting before they are drawn apart.  Camera follows Mace as he is drawn down the corridor with the rest of the young Men, they all look worried.  Montage of Mace and the others being processed, given fresh clothes, head shaved, eventually brought into drab barracks with four bunks, it is almost like a prison cell.

Max:  I can't believe this, this isn't what I signed up for... being a Jedi...wasn't supposed to be...

Mace:  This...that’s for sure...everything's going crazy...

Daniel:  Can they even do this?  What will they tell our families?  They didn't sign us up to be part of the Military!

Arden:  They don't have to tell them anything, its all perfectly legal.

Mace:  Ya, i don't know what to do...I..the last thing Master Piedmont said, "Don't let them make you fight"...He
must have known.

Arden:  Jeez...

Daniel: He...he would want to us to resist, to escape.

Mace:  But how?  Wer'e in the Republic Naval Academy!  Its like a prison!

Max:  Might as well be.

Arden:  There’s always a way, were Jedi...remember.

Mace:  I don't feel much like a Jedi right now.

Max:  It's all we’ve got...being real Jedi...

Arden:  We aren't soldiers!  We need to resist this.  I've heard stories of the Jedi Academy on Yavin, where the first Jedi were trained after the war.  They say that Master Skywalker himself organized their order, and that they remain true to his name!  True to the rebellion.

Mace:  That’s impossible.

Arden:  Why? Wouldn't that explain why the Republic won't have anything to do with them?

Mace:  It's hard to imagine they aren't on the dark side!  I mean Ben Solo is a total right wing terrorist!

Arden:  Well, when he was young, the first order didn't last long, and he did help kill C'baoth, so who knows.

Mace:  You think we should bet our entire futures on that academy not being full of dark Jedi?  I'm really not sure about this, its one thing to resist imperialism and fight to uphold the Jedi way, its another thing to risk joining Dark Jedi who we don't know...

Arden:  I'm just not sure we have a choice, and I have a feeling!  I’ve been meditating on them for some time, especially Ben Solo, I have a felling about it...they are on the Light side.

Mace:  Well, i hope your right...i guess I don't know what choice i have, if we break out of here we can't stay on Coruscant.....

Max:  At least we know they wont turn us over to the Republic!

Mace:  True enough...

Suddenly the door opens.  It is Master Zephyr.

Mace:  Master...

Zephyr:  Padawns, I'm sure you must have a lot of questions.  First let me just say you need not fear anything.

Max:  When can we leave?

Arden:  When do we get to see our families?

Zephyr:  I'm afraid you must stay at the Academy, your families will be allowed to visit soon.

Max:  (Standing) This is bull, you can't keep us here!

Zephyr:  Oh but we can, and I'm afraid its whats best for everyone, we have no choice but to have every Jedi prepared as fully as possible for what is to come.

Max:  You don't know whats to come!  Your just trying to accumulate power!  The whole council is.

Zephyr:  Watch your tounge boy, or you will regret it, of that i assure you.

Zephyr Rises Menacingly toward Max, who stands his ground, expression furious.

Max:  Go to hell...

Zephyr turns and walks out of the room, two young men in Jr. Officers uniforms step in, they grab Max roughly restraining him, he tries to fight back but is dragged from the room.  After the moment Zephyr returns.  The other three sit in stunned silence.

Zephyr:  Oh he will be back, don't worry, just a little corporal punishment to straiten out his attitude.  Now where were we, your schedules are the same every day, up at 7 am, one hours exercise, breakfast, morning training, study session, then lunch, followed by afternoon training and finally meditation and sleep at 8 pm.  Do you understand?

Padawans:  (Dejected)  Yes master

Zephyr:  Good, It is nearly 7 am, today will be no different than tomorrow or the day after that!  Call is in twenty three minutes!

The three look at each other in disbelief.  Without another word he turns and walks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Arden:  What...the...hell.  We barely even slept...

Mace:  Oh my god...what...are we going to do.

Daniel:  Whatever they tell us to for the time being.

Mace puts his head in his hands.

Mace:  Jeeze...i can barely think right now i’m so tired..

Arden:  Keep it together, it might be a while before we can escape..

Mace:  IF we can escape...

They sit in silence for a bit.  Scene cuts to the three of them sleeping in their bunks, suddenly a loud buzzer sounds, they jump up in confusion.

Mace:  uuuggh?

The door snaps open.

Orderly:  Seven AM!  Roll call in fifteen!  Lets go Lets go!

They jump up and begin dressing and getting ready, scene cuts to a large high ceilinged room, a few hundred
cadets are lined up in long lines, officers and a few Jedi stand in front milling about.

Officer:  Attention!

The Cadets stand at attention.

Officer:  For those of you who are new, welcome to the Republic Naval Academy, this is the most prestigious military academy in the New Republic, it should be an honor!   Because of the Sith threat, the Senate has seen fit to integrate the Jedi into the regular Marine core.

There are murmurs in the crowd.

Officer:  Silence!  First, roll call, then we go about our day, any...ANY disobedience will be met with extreme
punishment.  Is this understood.

Students:  Sir, Yes Sir!

Officer:  Alright, Abelson, Darian?

Darian:  Here!

Officer:  Andrews, Sarah?

Sarah:  Here!

Officer:  Axella, Nadiana?

Nadiana:  Here...

The scene cuts to a montage, first the students sit in a cafeteria eating, a speaker plays military propaganda, then they are in a gym lifting weights, running and training, then into a classroom where they sit quietly studying and write.  Then they are eating again, then training and finally sitting in a meditation room in perfect rows.  Cut to scene of the bunk, Arden, Daniel and Mace enter, they are exhausted.  They flop down on their bunks.

Arden:  Oh man, this sucks.

Daniel:  It really does.

Mace:  I can barely feel my feet, my legs where going numb after ten minutes in that lotus pose.

Arden:  My back is killing me...

Suddenly the door opens, two guards are there, they hold Max between them, he is roughly pushed into the room and the door slammed behind him.

Max:  Hello boys.

Mace:  Your back!  What happened.

Max:  Spent the day in solitary mostly, after the caned me with a ruler for a few minutes.

He holds up his hands which are covered in red marks.

Mace:  What is this a boarding school?

Max:  The officers and Jedi masters are on a crazy power trip, they just screamed in my face for a while, I was
just laughing, that’s when they started caning me!

Arden:  (Shaking his head)  Jeez...

Daniel:  Then solitary?

Max:  Ya, since this morning basically, it was this tiny shoe box of a room, couldn't lie down or anything.

Mace:  ugghh, i hate confined spaces.

Daniel:  Not so fond of them either.

Max:  Ya it wasn't great.  You all look like hell by the way.

Arden:  Your going to get the full treatment tomorrow, I don't think they take days off around here...

Max:  Might go for a little more of that solitary...

Daniel:  Watch out once they realize your a trouble maker they might just move your bunk in there.

Max:  Might be nice!

Daniel:  Ughh I need to sleep.

He lies back and puts his arm over his face, the rest of them get into bunks, turning off the light.  Scene cuts to the Gym, the Jedi are standing around, separated into boys and girls, you see Ara and Mace making eye contact.  Master Zephyr enters.

Zephyr:  Padawan!  At the Jedi Academy your light saber training was neglected in favor of meditation and force techniques, here, however, it will be the main focus of your training.
He places a small case on the ground, opening it you see two saber training remotes set in foam, he lifts one of them and activates it.

Zephyr:  The light saber is weapon of speed and accuracy, strength is a secondary component.
He draws a light saber and activates the blade, with a whirring pop an orange white beam lances out of the handle, the remote fires a barrage of bolts, Master Zephyr deflects them with ease, moving quickly with great agility.

Zephyr:  The light saber is a weapon of restraint and timing.  Not passivity or aggression, but where the two meld into a seamless force!

He spins and deflects a series of bolts, finally deactivating the remote.

Zephyr:  None of you have been adequately trained on the blade!  Today we start with padded sword sparring, then, we move to katas!  Grab a partner and lets go!  Boys on the right half of the gym, girls on the left.
Mace and Arden look at each other, then Mace turns and stares longingly at Ara, she smiles at him and then turns to find a partner.  Mace and Arden walk with the others to a rack of padded swords, each taking one they find a space and face off.

Arden: (Grinning)  Alright, this should be fun.

Mace:  (Smiling also)  not if i get the best of you!

They both attack and exchange a flurry of blows, laughing as they shrug off hits.

Zephyr:  Serious you two!  Combat is serious, one hit and your dead!  An arm gone!  Face your opponent with intention to kill!

The two serious up, now fighting with more direct power.

Zephyr:  (Turning to another pair)  Don't let him breach your center line!  Keep your feet planted!
Montage of the students sparring, then back to Mace and Arden, now sweaty but still fighting with vigor.  Suddenly there is a commotion.  They turn to see Max and a large student they don't know sparring with fury, their swords whipping around almost to fast to see.  A well placed blow by Max knocks the sword out of his opponents hands but he lunges forward and starts swinging fists, Max throws down his sword and they box viciously.  The students crowd around the fight, Master Zephyr is screaming with rage, lost in the shouts of excitement.  The two are on the ground now, wrestling with expertise, Max not giving any ground despite being smaller.  Mace works his way through the crowd until the sees Ara standing, craning her neck to to get a look at the fight.

Mace:  Psst.. Ara!

Ara:  Mace!  Can you believe this?

Mace:  I'm having trouble believing any of it...

Ara:  I know what you mean... how are you holding up?

Mace:  Ok..just trying to catch up on lost sleep...not collapse from stress or exhaustion

Ara:  (Smiling sadly)  Me to...wer'e all feeling it...

Master Zephyr is wrestling the two boys apart and throws Max down hard, pinning him under one knee, he has the other boy by the arm, with expertise the throws him down and pins him under his other knee.

Ara:  That master Zephyr is something...

Mace:  He really is...look, I should go, we could get in trouble...

Ara:  (She grabs his hand) Don't worry, we are going to get out of here, somehow.

He looks at her speechless, she smiles at him with a shy look and then lets go of his hand.

Ara:  See you around

Mace:  Be careful!

Ara: you to..

Mace works his way back to the boys side of the Gym, the sparring is resuming as Master Zephyr drags Max and the other boy out of the gym where they are received by a pair of guards.  The camera now focuses on Ara, she moves back to her partner, a thin but muscular dark skinned girl, they begin to spar lightly.

Diana:  I saw you two talking...you like him?

Ara: ...(blushing a little)...ya..i do.

Diana:  (Smiling)  Good...hes really cute.

Ara:  I know!

Diana:  Just stay focused!

She swings her sword for Ara's head who deflects the blow with expertise.

Ara:  Always!

She counter attacks and the two spar with extreme skill.  Scene cuts, back to a dorm room with four bunks, presently four young women enter, Ara, Diana and two others.

Ara:  God I’m beat, i don't know how much longer i can take this...

Illia:  Keep it together team leader, can't let moral drop!

Ara:  Could you cut the team leader crap!  Were all in this together.

Diana:  But your the evil genius with the daring escape plan remember.

Ara:  It's all of us or none.

Kaya:  Can't we just call you team leader?

Ara:  (Sighing)  Fine.  Just don't turn it into a thing.

Diana:  Does anyone have any new ideas?  We're still working on a distraction.

Illia:  How about stealing one of the remotes, we could reprogram it to go after the guards!

Diana:  To easily stopped, besides, those bolts barely sting...

Ara:  We won't even be armed unless we steal silver ware from the mess hall....

Illia:  You don't think they will give us real light sabers sometime soon?

Ara:  Not likely, at least not after those two boys acting up...

Diana:  Maybe that’s it...a fight, what if we could find a way to start a bigger fight than that...a brawl!

Illia:  I like it!  If we each picked a target, we could start four fights at once.

Ara:  That would occupy all of us, meaning no one to enact the rest of our escape plan...no it needs to be someone else.

Diana:  Who else can we trust?

Ara:  I know someone...

Diana:  Ahh..your going to involve him?

Illia:  Who?

Ara:  Doesn't matter, and yes, it's going to take all of us working together, even if i don't like it.

Illia:  Ok, so lets say your friend can start our fight, so the next obstacle is getting through the control room door.

Ara:  With the map i stole yesterday, we should be able to track the circuitry back to two service panels, power
up those panels and the door should open.

Illia:  If the power goes out, that thing stays shut.  Along with anyone inside..

Ara:  I know, we need one person guarding each of the panels, Diana and I will go into the control room and release the door locks, once that’s done we should be able to make our way to a service exit.  Minimal security.

Diana:  (Shaking her head)  This distraction better work...

Ara:  It will, I'll take care of it.

They lie back, the scene changes, you see Ara, Diana and a few other walking down a hall.

Diana:  Anyone know why they called us to the Gym during lunch hour?

Ara:  No idea.

Elsa:  Not for anything good im guessing.

Ara:  Its a safe bet.

They enter the Gym, all the young women Jedi from the temple are assembling, they are in a small private gymnasium attached to the main one.  Zephyr enters, closing the door behind him, he has a large black bag with him

Zephyr:  Welcome, this is going to be a special intensive training, its meant to prepare you to handle the intensity of urban or ship board combat.  You will be experiencing the effect...of this.

He holds up a canister. There is a murmur in the room.

Zephyr:  Tear Gas.  AX-B51 to be exact.  Standard issue.

Reaching into the bag he produces a gas mask which he straps over his face.  He strows around the room, eyeing the students who are visibly frightened.

Zephyr:  Prepare yourselves!  (He cracks one of the gas grenades and tosses it into the room, then another.)  Ten minutes starts now!

Grabbing the bag he exits the room, slamming the door behind him.  Everywhere the students are coughing and gagging, rubbing their eyes, thick white smoke fills the room.  Scene cuts to the girls dorm, presently the four enter, their faces are red, they are coughing, crying. They lie down on bunks.

Ara:  Ohhhgod..uuhhhg

Illia:  (Coughing)  What...the...hell

Ara:  My eyes are still burning, god damn it. (She rubs her eyes furiously)

Diana:  There...is a silver lining to all of this.

Illia:  (Annoyed)  And what is that?

Diana:  While that prick Zephyr was strowing around in his fancy gas mask, i pinched a few of those tear gas grenades.

She pulls two of the canisters from her sleeves, then two more from her pant legs, Grinning through tears.

Diana:  We got our distraction!

Scene cuts to a hallway, a group of young women walk through, suddenly they are surrounded by guards,
master Zephyr steps forward with a smug look of satisfaction.

Zephyr:  Ara...(He looks down a tablet) Silestran.  Step forward please.

Shaking with fear Ara steps forward.

Zephyr:  Guards! Search her!

Three guards step forward and roughly pat her down, pulling off her shoes one of them holds up a folded piece of paper.  Zephyr takes it was a smug grin.

Zephyr:  Very good, the map i was looking for!  How good of you to return it to me!  (To the Guards)  Take her!

They roughly haul Ara away, the other women stand in horrified silence.

Zephyr:  Now the rest of you, get to class!

They hurry off, scene cuts to the large assembly room, a platform has been wheeled in, there is a large post in
the center, the students are assembling in rows.

Mace:  (To Arden)  Any idea whats going on?

Arden:  None, we should be studying right now.

Mace:  I have a bad feeling about this...

Presently, Zephyr and several guards and officers enter, they have Ara with her hands tied in front of her, she looks frightened.

Mace:  No...no..what is this...

Arden:  Oh this is not good...

They walk her forward up onto the platform, They stop in front of the post and face the crowd of students.

Zephyr:  This Padawan was trying to escape from the academy!  The crime of desertion is treason!  Treason, is the most serious crime someone in the military can commit!  Therefore, because it seems you haven't realized yet that you ARE in the military, only public corporal punishment will suffice.

There are gasps and murmurs.

Zephyr:  For the crime of theft, breaking and entering, attempted escape and High Treason against the New Republic, you are hereby sentenced to ten lashes!

More gasps.

Mace:  No...no..

Ara is lead to the post, she is crying, turned to face away from the crowd, her hands are bound to a ring in the post.  One of the guards tears away the back of her shirt, revealing her bare skin.

Mace:  No...this can't be happening...

One of the guards steps forward, he is holding a large whip, you see Ara's face, she is crying, eyes closed in fear.  Suddenly Mace leaps from the crowd giving a war cry he punches a guard in the head, the man goes down hard, the other guards are on top of him, he is screaming Ara's name desperately fighting to get to her, but the guards pin him and drag him away.

Zephyr:  Solitary confinement for that one.

He turns back to the punishment, suddenly, two tear gas canisters ark over the crowd and bounce off the stage, spewing volatile smoke everywhere.

Zephyr:  What the....?

A third tear gas canister bounces off Zephyr' head and he falls to one knee with a groan, suddenly figures are leaping onto the stage, you see Diana emerge from the smoke, her eyes red and teary but full of wrath, she boxes the guard with the whip ferociously, leaping on top of him and pummeling his exposed face with her fists.  Illia kicks a guard in the stomach and snatches his baton, with a roar of fury she hits another over the head.  Diana has the keys and she is unbinding Ara from the post, together they run into the crowd.  Illia has the whip, she swing it with fury and catches master Zephyr across the face, he screams with rage and falls backward over the stage.  Now you see Arden and Daniel and other leaping to join the fray.

Scene changes, a hallway, you hear a commotion, there is a guard, he looks with concern, suddenly a mob of enraged students bursts around the corner, Ara at their head, she swings a baton and knocks the man out cold.  Grabbing keys they start to unlock doors, revealing solitary confinement cells.  You see Max grinning as he is let out.  Then Ara opens the door to reveal Mace sitting, his eyes red with tears.

Ara:  Mace!

Mace:  Ara!

They leap at each other and embrace, then kiss passionately.

Ara:  Lets get out of hear.

Mace: (Crying)  Your safe...your safe..

Ara:  (smiling)  were not safe yet! Lets go!

They run out, down hallways and through corridors.

Ara:  (To Diana)  Damn this is when I needed that map!

Illia:  (Running up to them)  One of the guards had a master key card!  Were already inside the control room!

Diana:  Thank god!

Illia:  Cargo doors are all open, level four!

They run together, suddenly, a bright orange glow flashes into existence ahead of them.  It is Zephyr, his face scarred with a horrible red welt, his eyes flashing with fury.  He holds his light saber lit in front of him.

Zephyr:  Your..not ..going..anywhere.

Mace:  (Quietly)  Not this time....

He raises his hands and a large metal pipe detaches from the wall, it catches Zephyr square in the back of the head.  He drops like a sack of potatoes.  The students cheer and pat Mace on the back, he grins with relief, they run forward and out the docking bay doors onto the streets of Coruscant.

Scene changes, it is the Jedi Council Chamber, Master Zephyr stands in the center.

Carrow:  The council is most displeased Master Zephyr.  The Padawan's escape comes at an unfortunate time.  The battle between the Solo twins threatens to escalated into a full scale war, it threatens to draw in even the Jedi...

Zephyr:  Surely the Jedi can remain neutral in a small personal conflict.

Carrow:  I'm afraid it has drawn in factions of the royal family and industrial guilds, as we speak they are mobilizing fleets to attempt a full takeover of Coruscant.

Zephyr:  It's a civil war...

Carrow:  Yes.  One in which we cannot stay neutral for long.

Zephyr:  But what stake could we possibly have in either side?

Carrow:  None but our own survival Master Zephyr.  Whatever side the Jedi Council supports will be the winning side, have no doubt.

Zephyr:  But which side will the council support?

Carrow:  The council will side with the industrial guilds, we have a long standing...agreement.  The royal family is to dangerous and power hungry to be allowed to regain control.  The Industrial guilds favor stability.

Zephyr:  I see.

Carrow:  You will return to Delta Squad immediately, you are being reactivated.

Zephyr looks up in slight surprise.

Zephyr:  I see...Yes master. (Bowing)

Carrow:  Now go, may the force be with you.

Zephyr:  And with you.  (He leaves)

Scene changes, a fleet of six or so Star Destroyers in orbit around a planet, cut to the bridge, Jaina stands in a black uniform with a cape, her arms crossed, expression pensive, she looks out over her fleet.  An officer approaches.

Officer:  Ma'am, intelligence report coming through, apparently over one hundred Jedi Padawan have escaped from the Naval Academy on Coruscant a few days ago!  Naval Intelligence believes they are heading for the Jedi Academy on Yavin!

Jaina:  (Turning in surprise)  One hundred...Jedi Padawan...has the republic made any moves to go after them?

Officer:  No redeployment yet.

Jaina:  This could be a huge opportunity, if we had one hundred fresh Jedi Padawan to fight for our side....

Officer:  Should I signal the fleet Ma'am?

Jaina:  Not yet, send a message to the royal family, inform them of our intentions, put fighter squads on full stand by!  I want all destroyers fully prepared for battle!

Officer:  (Bowing)  Yes Ma'am!

He turns and walks away, Jaina returns to pensively looking out over her fleet.  Scene changes, Jacen and
Dooku are walking along a Canal in a rich district of Coruscant.

Dooku:  The escape of the Padawans comes at a most...inopportune time, it provides Jaina with an obvious method to counter our strength, with the Jedi council ready to back us she has no choice but to move on the
Yavin Temple.

Jacen:  You think shes really going to take that kind of aggressive action?  This hasn't turned into a shooting war yet...

Dooku:  Oh but it will, rest assured of that Lord Solo.

Jacen:  How can you be so sure?

Dooku:  Call it experience, a sense of these things I've developed over the years, there’s always a feeling in the air before a serious fight.

Jacen:  You think we should try and get to the Jedi temple first?

Dooku:  Yes...it would be the prudent move.  We have six destroyers fully combat ready, it's now or never.

Jacen:  (nodding)  I see...very well, we move on the Yavin temple as soon as possible.

Dooku:  Get some rest Lord Solo, you will need your strength...
They continue walking, scene changes, it is Yavin from orbit, a few transports fly by the camera into orbit.  Cut to the Jedi temple, you see Rey and Ben standing on a hilltop, Rey wears tan robes, her hair is braided intricately, Ben has a beard and long flowing hair tied back, his robes are brown with ornate embroidery.  They stand looking up into the horizon as the transport ships fly down and land in the hanger.

Rey:  So the're here....what do you sense?

Ben:  Chaos, pain, fear, hope...and something...coming towards us.  Something big.

Rey:  Yes, it's strange, i sense it as well, it's so familiar...

Ben:  Familiar...that’s it...its..

Rey:  Jaina and Jacen....

Ben:  You think they will come here?

Rey:  With the Padawan's arrival, it's only a matter of time before someone comes, whether its Jaina, Jacen or the Republic Navy.

Ben:  (Sighing)  Your right, i guess i was hoping you would tell me somehow we could just go on like everything was normal....

Rey:  You know nothing is normal right now...not any more.

Ben:  Yes...but i can go on resisting it for as long as possible right?

Rey:  (Smiling)  You know i can't stop you, wouldn't want to stop you..(she kisses him on the cheek)

Ben:  (Turning to her)  One of us has to stay a dreamer...you realists are always spoiling everything...

Rey:  I am not!

Ben:  Oh but you are! (He moves toward her and they embrace)

Rey:  We should get down there, we are the representatives of the great Luke Skywalker!  Trained by the legendary master Jade!

Ben:  Oh there will be plenty of welcoming committee to go around, can't we just have a few minutes of peace and quiet?

Rey:  (Sighing)  Your right, I should just let everyone handle it, it's hard to get used to this place being
so...large..

Ben:  It's nice, not so much responsibility, always people to talk to, feels like we aren't even needed that much..

Rey:  Now were just celebrities!

Ben:  Or evil terrorist masterminds corrupted by the dark side of the force!

Rey:  (Laughing) Only if you ask the Royal Jedi!

Ben:  I wouldn't make a habit of it.

Rey:  Agreed, ok, lets go see what were dealing with...one hundred new students!

Ben:  Its incredible!

They walk toward the temple, arm in arm.  Scene cuts to the hanger bay, the transport doors are open and the crowd of young Padawan students are emerging from the ships.  A large crowd has gathered to see the new arrivals, they are of all ages, mostly human with a smattering of various alien species throughout.  They all dress differently, some wear flowing robes, others tight fitting simple combat type uniforms, others dress elegantly or simply in casual wear.

An elder woman steps forward, she stands with an almost regal heir, her hair gray punctuated with its original black, her skin dark.  She wears a simple but elegant robe.  She is master Elsa

Elsa:  (Addressing the Crowd) Welcome Padawan, we have been expecting you since the news of your escape reached us.  As you know, this temple is a sanctuary keeping alive the old ways of the Jedi, you have I'm sure heard the rumors of our Dark sided nature, they are however, but rumors.  We hold true to the Light Side of the Force, to the Teachings of Masters Jade and Skywalker, and of course Master Yoda.  The Academy welcomes you with open arms, here you will be free to pursue your training in a meditative and self directed way, or to use any resources we have here at our disposal as you see fit.  With that i welcome all of you, dormitories have been prepared, they are out the hanger down the path to your left, master Seracan will lead those of you ready to settle in there.

A small man in simple civilian dress steps forward.

Elsa:  The Cafeteria is this way, training grounds to the left, library is next to the dorms, all areas of the
academy are open to any Padawan, we try to live here without hierarchical structure, that means no one is really in charge, I want to stress respect and courtesy for others, without police or government we are charged with keeping this place safe for everyone.  With that again I welcome you all to the Academy!

The students are milling around, mingling with the crowd.

Seracan:  Anyone wishing to find a dorm follow me!

He walks out the hanger door followed by a large group of the new arrivals.  The camera focuses on Mace, Ara, Arden, Max, Illia and Diana who now mingle as one cohesive crew.  A young woman approaches them, her hair is dark, dressed in a tight fitting almost combat like outfit she absolutely radiates power, her expression is serious and fierce, she stands at the head of a small posse.  Arms crossed she surveys Mace and his friends.

Jinn:  You kids had better watch it, this is our turf!

Ara:  Kids?  Your not any older than us!

Jinn steps forward, she gets in Ara's face, Ara looks annoyed and backs off.

Jinn:  Your all children to me, look at your faces, your soft, lost, hiding.

Mace:  Just who the hell do you think you are?

Jinn:  (Drawing herself up)  I am the great Jinn Organo, Granddaughter of the Warrior Princess Leia, Daughter of the Rey and Ben Solo, the most powerful Jedi in the universe!  Name sake of the Rebel Hero Jinn Erso!

Mace and the others laugh uncontrollably, Jinn is enraged.

Jinn:  You all just watch it, we run this place, don't even THINK of crossing us.

With that she whirls around, striding out of the hanger, her posse following.  A young dark haired man turns from the group, giving a kind of sorry look over his shoulder, then he follows.

Ara:  Jeez...what a psycho...

Mace:  For real...

Max:  Shes amazing!

They all turn and look at him.

Max:  What, she is!  She just radiates power!

Ara:  And i know that’s what gets YOU going...

Max:  (Laughing) So what, at least I know what I want!

Mace:  Lucky you...

Ara and Mace look at each other, Mace shakes his head in wonder, Ara smirks.

Ara:  Oh whatever, the’re all talk!  We just busted out of The Republic Naval Academy, whats she ever done that was worth a damn?

Mace:  Probably Jack...

Max:  Come on, look at her!  Shes probably leading some kind of secret revolution!

Diana:  Your imagination is really out of hand.

Max:  At least I have one!

Diana smirks at him.

Diana:  Ya, well don't let it go to your head.

Max:  To late!

They laugh, moving off toward the dorms.  Scene changes, the Jedi library, rows of book shelves line a large high ceilinged room.  Ben is standing reading a book.  You see the young dark haired man from Jinn's posse come around a corner.

Alexander:  Dad!  Mom told me you would be here.

Ben:  Alex!  You were looking for me?

Alexander:  Yes..I...I need to talk to someone, can we walk somewhere?

Ben:  Of course!

He shuts the book and they walk out the door, cut to scene of the two walking down a path through the academy gardens, the sun is low on the horizon, casting a red light over the surroundings.
Alexander:  Today, i guess for the past couple days, I've been feeling something strange, its like...a deep voice that keeps trying to emerge from the depths of my subconscious, yet, it can't seem to fully manifest, its like a whisper.

Ben nods and thinks.

Ben:  You have always been more sensitive to the Force than most fully realized Jedi, it can be both a gift and a burden.

Alexander:  (Smiling) Of that I am well aware!

Ben:  My instinct tells me you should meditate upon this, it could be of profound importance, the new arrivals signal an imbalance in the force, one which if left untreated, could tear through everything we are creating here.

Alexander:  But how am I to know what I should do?  My meditations are always a milieu of swirling vision....I can't barely keep afloat in their depths....

Ben:  You must work harder than any to keep your basic faculties, my son...this is your path.

Alexander:  But why must it be so?

Ben:  I know not, it is the will of the force.

He stops and turns, they look each other in the eye.

Ben:  Its always been a struggle for you to accept your gifts as well as your crosses to bear, I just want you to know your mother and I are always here to listen to you, to help you and guide you in any way we can.  We will always love you unconditionally.

Alexander:  Even if i turn to the dark side?

Ben:  Even if.  Your mother never gave up on me, even though all she had to go on where visions, I know your heart, Alexander, you are true and pure...I fear not that you will turn to the dark side.  You have a power always to humble yourself and to accept what things might go against your deepest desire.

Alexander:  Its not something I want to do...I wish i was normal.

Ben:  If i could impart one thing to you, its that you ARE normal, or that there really are no normal people, we are all unique, we all face our burdens, our trials, we all have our gifts and bounties.  Yours are just the more intense, but that does not make you "Not Normal"

Alexander:  I love you dad.

Ben:  I love you to.

They embrace.

Alexander:  I'm confused about the new arrivals, Jinn seems so intent on pushing them away...

Ben:  Shes always been a spitfire...you know her heart is in the right place, she will come around.

Alexander:  (Smiling)  I hope so...I like them..the new arrivals.  They have such good energy.

Ben:  They carry the true power of the light side of the force, they have resisted the temptation to turn, to embrace the possible power the state could provide them.

Alexander:  Will i ever see Coruscant father?

Ben:  Of course!  One day this will all be over, we will be welcomed home with open arms.

Alexander:  I hope your right...

Ben:  Don't doubt it!

They begin to walk again, Scene Changes.

Rey sits meditating in a chamber, presently Ben enters.  Rey opens her eyes and turns.

Rey:  Hey.

Ben:  Hey, sorry to disturb you.

Rey:  No problem, i was almost done...have you seen Jinn today?

Ben:  No...i haven't actually..

Rey:  (Shaking her head)  I heard she had some harsh words for our new guests, I’m starting to think naming our first born after the hero of the rebellion wasn't such a hot idea...

Ben:  Oh she'll straiten herself out, shes not even 18 yet!

Rey:  When i was 15 i was a hard core revolutionary who had helped bomb several republic military bases, the blood of hundreds on my hands already!  I knew the responsibility of War!  Shes never even been off Yavin!

Ben:  And that’s the way i would have it.  There’s been to much darkness and pain in this family already...

Rey:  Ya, your probably right, i just...get worried.  She needs to realize talk is just that..talk.

Ben:  She knows, shes just going through a phase.

Rey:  I hope your right...it reminds me of...

Ben: (Putting his hand on her shoulder)  Me to.

Rey:  (Looking up at him)  Alexander is...not well adjusted...I fear Jinn may push him just as Jaina and Jacen once pushed you...right over the edge...

Ben:  Really the situation is nothing like that...I was already traumatized by the time i was Alex's age..had been through hell and back...also Jinn is no Jacen and Jaina...those two are cruel and unrelenting.  Shes really a lover deep down.

Rey:  (Smiling)  Your right of course, I should try not to worry.

Ben:  Maybe these new arrivals will be good for them, help them adjust, I feel like they are too isolated, maybe a little competition could be useful!

Rey:  I agree, the arrival of these Padawan feels like one of the most important events in my life, its like the whole future of the Jedi order just dropped into our laps.  Everything Luke fought for has come to fruition.

Ben:  Yes it has, he was truly wise...and lets not forget master Jade, without her guidance and wisdom i don't know where i would be...

Rey:  Me neither...I miss her so deeply, and Luke too of course.

Ben:  They would be proud, I think, They ARE proud, never have i been so sure that someone achieved the living force..they are still out there watching over us.

Rey:  Yes they are...thank you, sometimes i feel so lonely, i just have to keep reminding myself that the people we love will never be truly gone from our hearts.

Ben:  Yes...and the person i love most on this earth is sitting right in front of me!

Rey smiles and they look into each others eyes, she stands and embraces him, they just hold each other for a few moments.

Rey:  Don't go anywhere...ok?

Ben:  Not planning on it!

Scene Changes.

It is a dorm room, small and comfortable looking, Mace and Ara lie together on a bed, arms around each other, just relaxing.

Ara:  My god, this is like a dream!

Mace:  I can't believe how right Arden was about this place!  He must really be good at meditation to have
known this wasn't a dark side temple...

Ara:  Hes a real mystic, its a serious gift.

Mace:  Were sooo... lucky

Ara: In my experience, there’s no such thing as luck!

Mace:  Speaking of Mystics...look at you go!

Ara:  (Smiling)  I always was a dreamer!

Mace:  I never would have dreamed up this place in all my wildest imaginings!

Ara:  Did you see how many masters there are?  There must be hundreds!

Mace:  Its really incredible, the level of organization here is just wild.

Ara:  I can't help but feel that the energy of the Rebellion lives on here...its all just so powerful, i feel strongly we are meant to be here...I want...I want to train with Rey and Ben Solo!

Mace:  (Smiling)  Me to!  I'm so excited to dig into the library, have you stuck your head in there yet!

Ara:  No!  Barely got a chance to see half the place yet!

Mace:  I know, i wanted to check out the garden...

Ara:  Oh its so beautiful!  Lets go together tomorrow!

Mace:  Ok!

They sit in silence for a few moments.

Ara:  Mace, i wanted to tell you...I feel really strongly about you...I..just hope this isn't some fling...

Mace:  (Looking at her seriously)  I feel the same way, i can't stop thinking about you.

Ara:  (Smiling)  Good!

She rolls over on top of him, they kiss.  Scene changes.  Jinn is walking down a path in the jungle, her face set in a serious expression.  Suddenly she stops and turns, Max comes down the path behind her.

Jinn:  What do YOU want?

Max:  Oh, just a little piece of the action.

Jinn:  (Angry)  I'll stomp you into the ground short stuff.

Max:  (Drawing himself up to his full height, a little taller than Jinn)  Who you calling short?
Jinn is furious now she steps forward and the two face off, Max's expression is glowing, a smile barely contained on his lips.

Jinn:  What are you smiling at?  Whats so funny, tough guy?

Max:  You are, actually.

Jinn:  Oh I’m funny am I?  Your asking for it now...

Max:  Definitely...so what are you going to do?   All I’m hearing is talk.

Jinn:  You really want to scrap?  Fine!  Meet me at the training grounds in one hour, you’ll have your fight fly boy.

Max:  Good, then its a date!

Jinn:  It is not!  I’m going to bloody that pretty face till its just a smear!  You’ll be disfigured!

Max:  So... you think I’m pretty!

Jinn:  (Furious)  Not for long....

They face off...scene changes to a wide open training ground, Jinn stands impatiently, presently Max walks up.  Without a word Jinn throws a pair of boxing gloves at his head.  He catches them and starts strapping them onto his hands, they stare at each other with extreme venom.  Jinn is strapping on her gloves, they face off.

Jinn:  No rules, no breaks, if you stop, you lose...got it?

Max:  (Hitting his gloves together)  Got it!  Lets rumble!

He moves in on her...Jinn throws up her defenses, her expertise is clear.  Max attacks aggressively, Jinn easily absorbs his blows on her forearms and takes a hard swing, barely dodged by Max, he ducks and weaves, Jinn's aggression builds steadily, the way she paces her energy reveals her true mastery.  Max starts to tire, having used his energy early, Jinn, sensing weakness, suddenly leaps forward and mauls Max, he takes blow after blow to the face, waving his arms comically in an attempted defense, finally Jinn lands a square blow at full power right to his nose, his is knocked back off his feet where he lies stunned on the ground.  He is silent for a moment and then laughs.

Jinn:  You think its funny?  Being a weakling?

Max:  No its funny how powerful you are despite all the posturing!  I was so sure you were covering for weakness!

Jinn:  Not everything is how it appears here, you on the other hand, are transparent!

Max:  ohh am i now?

Jinn:  Ya..definitely.

Max:  Then what am I thinking?

Jinn:  Id rather not say...you’ve got a perverted mind...

Max:  And your just covering up the fact that you want to ask me out.

Jinn:  I do not!

Max:  In fact, i think this was our first date!

Jinn:  You looking to get beat again?

Max:  Possibly.

He stands up, Jinn raises her eyebrow.

Jinn:  You certainly are brave!

She lunges at him and strikes another hit right to his head, again Max is knocked to the ground.

Jinn:  (Laughing)  Alright I’m being overly harsh on you, ill admit it.  Just submit, you know your bested!

Max:  Ok...ok, you got me!  You are the most powerful Jedi in the universe, after all!

Jinn:  (Looking pleased)  Thank you!

Max:  Now..in all seriousness, do you want to get lunch sometime?

Jinn:  Alright, fine..but i get to tell everyone i kicked your sorry ass.

Max:  Deal!

She reaches out a hand and helps him up.

Jinn:  I’m actually surprised you can stand up after that...

Max:  (Smiling)  I may not actually be as transparent as you first thought...

Jinn:  Well see about that...alright, meet me at the cafeteria in an hour, get cleaned up, you smell like a sweaty
dog!

Max grins, they walk off together.

Scene changes, the cafeteria, Jinn sits with a tray, presently Max sits across from her, looking down at his tray with anticipation.

Max:  Wow they have everything here!  They were so stingy about food on Coruscant.

Jinn:  Yup, its a wonder what actually growing your own food in the ground can do for you.

Max:  (taking a bite) MMM...wow!

Jinn:  (Laughing)  You never have a dull moment do you?

Max:  Not when I’m around you i don't!

Jinn:  (Turning a little red) Look you really gotta cut out the advances, I'm having lunch with you already!  You should know we don't tolerate any crap around here.

Max:  (Looking serious)  Hey sorry, i was just kidding around...

Jinn:  Doesn't matter, its all the same, just learn some consent culture.  You will get your ass actually kicked around here.

Max:  (Pausing for a moment)  Ok, sorry...I'll cut it out.

Jinn:  Good, we put a lot of energy keeping this place free from patriarchal crap, don't come bringing it in from the empire.

Max:  You call the Republic the empire?

Jinn:  Whats the difference?

Max:  I dunno...democracy?

Jinn:  Pfft, spare me the liberal crap, we all know the Republic is an authoritarian capitalist empire!  You think
they don't go around conquering worlds and subjugating alien races?

Max:  Well, i guess your right, i just...feel like..its different some how.

Jinn:  That’s cause YOU grew up in the inner core, out in the rim were not so lucky to have illusions about imperialism.  Systems near here have been attacked by the Republic Navy quite recently, they know its still the Empire!

Max:  ok...hmm.

Jinn:  And its all connected to your behavior, maybe on Coruscant you could go around harassing women, not here.

Max:  Ok..your right, I’m a pig. I am really sorry...ill do my best to change!

Jinn:  Good.  There’s a lot of books in the library about consent culture and patriarchy, check them out.

Max:  (Smiling)  I will!

They sit eating in silence for a moment.

Max:  Have you ever been off world?

Jinn:  No actually, iv spent my whole life here, iv been around this whole moon though.

Max:  Nice...seems really peaceful.

Jinn:  Gets a little boring, going kinda stir crazy actually.

Max:  I could see that.

Jinn:  I dunno, my parents said once I’m 18 i can go to Coruscant, my birthday is in a few months...

Max:  Cool, id love to show you around.

Jinn:  I would actually like that...lets do it!

Max:  (Smiling)  Ok, its a plan!

Scene changes.  Jedi council meeting in a covered pavilion.  There are 2 douzen Jedi masters in a circle, most human, some various alien species.  Most are on the younger side, Ben and Rey being two of the eldest followed by an elder, stately looking man with a beard and serious demeanor.  He is Tallrand.  There is also a older woman, cool headed and regal, she is Elsa.  Rey is adressing the council.

Rey:  I understand the concerns we all have for the safety of this academy, im just asking that we think through the positive and negative consequences of harboring the escaped Padawans.

Elsa:  The arrival of the Padawan puts us all in great danger.  Despite misgivings i'm sure we would all have, returning them promptly to the Republic would be our most expedient course of action.

Rey:  You can't just turn them over the Republic Navy!  They'll be imprisoned for sure, possibly executed for treason!

Elsa:  It's not an ... ideal solution.

Rey:  Not ideal?  Its barbaric!  We've held out against the Republic's influence for thirty years!  This is the biggest opportunity we've ever dreamed of, a hundred Padawns arriving right on our door step and you want to throw them out?  No... No!  I wont stand for it.

Tallrand:  Master Solo, I would remind you of the likely hood that the Republic fleet is on its way here at this moment, with the civil war raging, both sides stand to gain a considerable amount with the capture of the fugitive Padawn, now, ill ask you what good is fending off Republic influence if they burn this place to the ground?

Rey:  We will survive, move on, find a new home.

Tallrand:  Well not all of us agree with that course of action!  I'd say your taking huge liberties with our good will Master Solo.

Rey:  If im taking liberties its because the very survival of the order could be at stake!  You may not like the idea of running but it certainly beats rolling over at the first sign of Republic aggression!

Tallrand:  Maybe you think it does, but there are others here who don't think as...radically as you.

Rey:  And what if your precious Republic doesn't accept our surrender?  We may not even have a chance to run then!  Preparing for evacuation is our only chance to ensure survival!
Elsa:  Maybe we can leave the option to negotiate on the table while simultaneously preparing for evacuation?  We have to come to some kind of agreement, and i remind you the Republic isn't here at the moment, so lets keep cool heads and work together.

Tallrand:  An acceptable suggestion...

Rey:  Well...if the Republic fleet shows up on our sensors we will have to make some quick decisions...
Ben:  The Republic is coming.  We all know it.  We all feel it.  Once this war started, our precious temple became nothing but a strategic asset in their sick conflict.  Whether or not those Padawan came, the Republic was always coming for us, it was just a matter of time.  Well, the time is up.  They are on their way here, and we had better leave now or be ready to go once they show up on our scanners.  Anything else and we are all probably going to spend the rest of our lives in a Republic Labor camp for protecting the fugitives.  Were all in this together.  Now, i suggest we cast vote on what to do, is that tablet ready?

Pariius:  Yes, here, i've put a few different options.
They pass around the tablet each voting, finally it is returned to Ben.

Ben:  The results are...We prepare to leave, but stay until such time as the Republic Navy attempts to coerce us into giving up the Padawan.

A quiet murmur passed through the council but most seemed satisfied, they begin to disperse, Rey, Ben and two others, Jesper and Garrukk, two younger Jedi with a reputation for rebelliousness left the pavilion together and walked down the path toward the main complex.

Rey:  I can't shake the feeling were cutting things to close.

Ben:  I feel the same way, we may have become to comfortable here, its easy to forget the rest of the galaxy and fall into a sedentary life.

Garrukk:  I sense Tallrand may try to slow the preparations in whatever way he can, i'v known him to play the back channel game before this, we might be wise to make some moves of our own...

Jesper:  I can set up an around the clock watch so we have advanced warning of the fleet's arrival.  I'll go right now and start organizing it.

Ben:  Good, thank you Jesper, let me know when you have everything ready.

Jesper:  I will!  Thank you master Solo.  (He bows and then hurries off a side path)

Rey:  We should also see about loading our personal supply stores onto our ships in case there's a delay in loading from the main stockpile.

Ben:  Good idea, can't be to safe.

Garrukk:  I'll see what i can do about spreading the word, make sure they can't keep a lid on this, that will make it harder to slow us down.

Rey:  Right, good.

Ben:  Alright, lets head to the hanger and check on our transport, maybe we can reconvene later in the main hall and keep planning?

Rey:  Sounds good!

Garrukk:  Great, ill get started, see you tonight. (He continues down the main path as Rey and Ben turn down the path to the hanger)

Scene Change:  It is evening, Ben sits in the Gazebo on the hilltop, watching the end of the sunset.  Presently,
Rey joins him.

Rey:  Hey, i was just on my way to the main hall.

Ben stands and they embrace.

Ben:  Ok, i was just meditating for a few minutes, i'v been feeling...strange, strange like i havn't felt since...before...

Rey takes his hand

Rey:  I feel it to, there is a tremor in the force, its putting everyone on edge.

Ben:  I sense the dark side is gaining strength again, its as if the spirit of C'baoth has come back to stalk my waking thoughts...

Rey:  His spirit is part of something bigger, darker than he was, and that lives on.

They stand silent for a moment, hands clasped.  Then suddenly an alarm sounds shrill and piercing into the night, again and again the tone blares out, red and orange lights flashing to life across the compund, and even now the beginning of the desperate scramble can be seen even from the hilltop.

Rey:  Proximity alarm!

Ben:  The fleet!

They dash off down the hill without another word.

Scene cuts to high orbit over Yavin.

Suddenly, Six star destroyers jump into orbit almost simultaneously.  Cut to the bridge of a destroyer, Jacen stands on the deck looking pleased.  Without warning you see six more star destroyers jump into orbit.  Jacen visibly jumps, his hands clenched in fists.

Officer:  Sir!

Jacen:  Battle stations!  Now!  Full alert!  Begin maneuvers!

He stares with fury out the window.

Jacen:  (To himself)  You..god damn...interfering...urrgg..

Scene cuts to another destroyer, this time Jaina stands on the deck, her arms held behind her.  She surveys
Jacens fleet with calm resolution.

Officer:  Ma'am, the enemy fleet is moving to engage!

Jaina:  Full forward, break off group one to engage the flank, group two stay close to the Vesuvius.

Officer:  Yes Ma'am!

Jaina:  You won't stop me this time...brother.

Shot cuts to Orbit, the two groups of destroyers reach engagement range, they exchange a withering barrage of fire, fighter wings launch and battle, intense maneuvers begin.  Two of Jaina's destroyers are flanking Jacens fleet which is making a direct wedge attack on the remaining four of Jaina's destroyers.  You see two of Jacen's destroyers peel off to engage the two flanking destroyers, they pelt each other with fire, the remaining eight weave between each other, turning to come back for another pass.  Cut to inside of Jacen's command ship.

Jacen:  Order the Mirage to...point 0.4.2, orient angle to mark 395, engage those three destroyers, the rest of the fleet attack the ship bearing mark, 172, concentrate all fire on that destroyer!

Scene cuts back to space, you see one destroyer turning its broad face blocking three of Jaina's destroyers, a fourth is isolated, the remaining three of Jacen's ships close in and pelt it with fire.  It is destroyed.  Cut to inside Jaina's destroyer.

Jaina:  Damn... lost the Pericles, but gotcha in sector three...

You see two of Jacen's destroyers exploding under a hail of fire.

Cut to inside Jacen's command ship, you see the battle raging outside, his destroyer is in the thick of it, whereas Jaina's is holding away from the battle.

Jacen:  Damn, we're down one, and shes got angles on...

Officer:  Sir!  The Canterbury has lost shields!

Jacen:  Urrg, evacuation order!  Now!

Officer:  To late!

You see another destroyer explode in a torrent of fire.

Jacen:  Damn!  Order the fleet to engage Jaina's command ship, try and keep away from that formation!

Officer:  Yes sir!

Cut back to space, you see Jacens three remaining destroyers moving in a wedge formation toward a distant destroyer, Jaina's command ship, pursued hotly by three other destroyers.
Scene cuts down to the surface of Yavin, Rey and Ben stand at the hanger entrance, looking up into the sky where the battle can be seen raging in the night, flashes of light, explosions and several wedge shaped destroyers are visible.

Rey:  This is...just insane!

Ben:  I can't believe they would do this.....it’s just sickening.

Rey takes Bens hand and they stand silently watching the battle, presently master Garrukk comes up behind them.

Garrukk:  Were ready, all packed, we should move now before one side wins out and decides to pay attention to us...

Rey and Ben turn and follow Garrukk back into the hanger, camera turns and fly's through the now empty Jedi temple, presently you see Jinn running down a path, looking scared.  Max comes running behind her.

Max:  Jinn?  What are you doing!  You’ll be left behind!

She turns and looks angrily at him.

Jinn:  I need to get something precious, something I've been waiting for a long time to have...they are leaving it
behind!

Max:  What is it?

Jinn:  Just shut up and follow me!

They run down the path, presently reaching a building, inside the move through a series of vaults to a small room with an alter at the far end.  Max stops short but Jinn runs right up to the alter and plucks a light saber from it.

Max:  Is that..

Jinn:  Master Jade's light saber.  It was promised to me one day...but i guess its now or never.

She ignites the blade, it glows purple white.

Max:  Ohhhh...beautiful...iv never seen one that color before...

Jinn:  As far as we know its the only one ever to exists...Mara built it herself.

Max:  Wow, it...it suits you so well.

Jinn:  (Smiling)  Im glad you think so, because i was taking it whether you liked it or not!

Max:  (Laughing)  Oh good!

Jinn:  Now come on!

Extinguishing the blade, Jinn turns and runs back toward the hanger, followed by Max.  Scene cuts to inside the cockpit of one transport, Rey and Ben are there with a pilot.

Rey:  Alright, they made it back, Jesus what the hell was she doing?

Ben:  No idea, lets get out of here!

Pilot:  Roger that, repulsor lifts active.

Rey:  (Into communicator) Signal the Ion Cannons!

Radio:  Done.

Scene cuts to a spot in the jungle, a set of blast doors open and an ion cannon rises to the surface, it angles into the sky and fires a series of bolts into space.  Cut to orbit looking strait down to the ground, you see five transports flying strait up toward the camera, the Ion bolts fly by the ships on their way to their target.  Shot changes to Jaina's three destroyers closing in on Jacen's remaining three.  The Ion bolts strike one of them again and again, it shutters and crawls with electricity, then floats out of formation disabled.  Scene cuts to inside Jaina's destroyer.

Jaina:  What??  That blast came from the ground!

Officer:  Ma'am, the enemy fleet is closing in on our position!  Our fleet is still out of range!

Jaina:  I needed that god damn ship!  Uurrrgg!

Officer:  Ma'am, what do we do?

Jaina:  I don't know hold on to something!  Evasive maneuvers!

Scene changes to outside, you see Jacen's destroyers pelt Jaina's ship with fire, it maneuvers with skill, managing to escape for a moment, the camera turns, you see the disabled destroyer floating, the five transport ships pull up to its underside and dock.  Scene cuts to inside the destroyer, storm troopers line up along a hallway facing the opening hatch.  They stand watching, blasters leveled.  Presently the door is breached, sparks fly around the edges and then it explodes, a hail of blaster fire pours through, the storm troopers return fire, several light sabers ignite and a few Jedi burst through the door, they are in all black, faces masked, all obviously hardened warriors, they slaughter the storm troopers without any losses, moving down the corridor out of view.  Presently a few rebels with blasters enter, Rey and Ben follow them, surveying the damage.

Ben:  Wow its been a while since...

Rey:  I know, not pretty, lets just get this over with.

They walk down the hall, flanked by the rebels and the other Jedi who follow them through the door.  Scene cuts to the bridge of Jaina's command ship.  She is in full fury.

Officer:  Ma'am, the disabled destroyer, its been commandeered!

Jaina:  What?  By who?

Officer:  Unknown.

Jaina:  It must be....Ben...

Officer:  We just lost the Starburn!

Jaina:  Damn it, down to one ship, press the attack!  We can't lose another!

Officer:  Yes Ma'am!

Cut to orbit, you see two destroyers attacking each other head on, they both simultaneously explode.  Cut to inside Jacens command ship.

Officer:  Sir!  We just lost our last ship!  The enemy is down to only her command ship as well!

Jacen:  What are you waiting for...Attack!

Officer...but sir...surely we can't hope to achieve victory...not without some kind of advantage.

Jacen:  I really don't care what you think.  Attack that ship, NOW!  Launch fighter wings!

Officer:  Yes sir!

Scene cuts back to space, you see the remaining destroyers turn and engage each other, pelting fire they each sustain heavy damage and careen off in different directions.  Scene cuts back to Jaina's command ship.

Officer:  Shields down to 10%, weapons off line, life support failing in 23 minutes!  We have to jump to warp before we lose another engine!  If we get stranded here we all die!

Jaina:  (Growling)  You don't have to tell me that.  Fine!  Light speed now!  Get us back to Coruscant!

Officer:  (Relieved) Yes Ma'am!

Cut back to space, you see Jaina's command ship jump to warp.  A few moments pass and Jacen's ship also jumps out, leaving only the disabled destroyer, now powering back up with the support of the attached transports energy systems.  after a few moments the transports drift off and float abandoned, the destroyer powers up its engines and jumps into hyper space.

Scene changes to the deck of the captured destroyer, rebels sit at the controls, Rey, Ben, Garrukk, Elsa,
Tallrand and others stand on the deck looking at the hyper space tunnel.

Tallrand:  You know where to go?

Rey:  I...was thinking..we should pay our old friends a visit, i hear they have been up to some interesting things...

Ben:  (Looking at her)  You want to head for the Pelladrin system?

Rey:  That's what i was thinking.

Garrukk:  That’s where Poe and Finn settled down isn't it?

Ben:  Ya and apparently they have been doing a lot of hell raising and organizing as well, amazing what you can get away with in the outer rim....or at least, you used to be able to, not so sure any more.

Rey takes his hand, they look at each other with a serious expression.

Rey:  I'm really scared right now Ben, this...isn't going to end well...i can feel it.

Ben:  I...I am to...but i sense..somehow this is all the will of the force.

Rey:  I know it is...i just, we just, lost our home, everything we’ve worked to build for decades.

Ben:  Not everything, our family and friends all made it.

Rey:  (Smiling sadly)  Your right, i don't know what I'm saying.

Ben:  No, I’m just trying to find a silver lining, we really are adrift without anchor...

They stand for a few moments in silence, suddenly a rebel turns from their station.

Rebel:  (To Rey) Master, there’s and incoming message...somehow it was beamed to our location....it...it says its from a...Master Plaguies...Of the Sith rebellion!

They all turn in surprise.

Rey:  Master Plaguies?  Ever heard of them?

Ben shakes his head, Garrukk and Tallrand shrug.

Rebel:  Message reads as follows:  Greetings, friends of the rebellion, true keepers of the light.  Your deeds have not gone unnoticed by our agents.  Even now, the Sith are building a new rebel fleet, one which can challenge the supremacy of the Republic Navy.  We would be honored if you could join us in our final stand against the empire.  If you wish to make contact, beam a general transmission to the Ocarno system, where it will be received by a Sith agent, from there you will receive further instruction as to the secret location of the Sith fleet.  We greatly anticipate your coming, may your journey be safe and the Force be with you.

They stand in silence, surprise, fear, mistrust and hope flitting across all of their faces.

Ben:  How...how can we be sure about this?

Rey:  We can't...it could be a trap.

Elsa:  Or they really could be dark side... you can never really know.

Garrukk:  Ya...its a huge risk, but maybe we have to take it.

Jesper:  I hate these kind of decisions...

Rey:  I know what you mean, i feel like we need to get our bearings first, lets wait to make a decision.

Ben:  Agreed.  I for one can't wait to see what Poe and Finn have been up to.

Rey:  Me neither!

Ben:  As soon as we reach our destination will you plot course for the Pelladrin system?

Rebel:  Would be my pleasure master Solo.

Ben:  Good, then let us hope the force is with us!

Rey: (Taking his hand)  I've never doubted that it was.

Music is dramatic, the camera backs up to a wide shot of the destroyer bridge, with Rey, Ben and the other Jedi standing pensively in front of the warp tunnel seen through the window.  Rebels go about operating the ship.  The scene stands for a moment, building the music to crescendo, then Cut to Credits.